Midnight Dynamite's Path to the Big Dance After Rosehill Win

Connections of Midnight Dynamite are keen to see the horse contest a $3 million prize following his commanding performance in the Winter Challenge at Rosehill.

Having added Saturday's stakes race to his triumph in last month's Listed Civic Stakes (1400m), the gelding is now slated for the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m) on August 7. A victory in that event would grant him entry into the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day.

"We're mindful he's had a long 'prep' so we'll see how he comes through, but the initial plan is Coffs," trainer Bjorn Baker's racing manager, Luke Hilton, said.

"We'd like to get him into the Big Dance if he can run a mile which, off that, it looks like he might.

"He has come to a new level this preparation. Even looking at him, I still don't think we've gotten to the bottom of him. He's going to be a better horse next preparation.

"He's one of those Bjorn has been patient with. He's got better and better each preparation. He's reaping the benefits now and more to come hopefully."

The Winter Challenge (1500m) was the fourth win in six starts this campaign for Midnight Dynamite ($3.20 fav), the four-year-old colt appearing to have the race won a long way from the finish line. He justified his favouritism according to leading betting apps Australia.

Thriving on the solid pace established by Whinchat, he surged to the lead in the middle stages of the straight, defeating his competitors by three lengths. Just Folk ($14) secured second place, with General Salute ($6) a neck behind in third.

Hilton conceded that the stable had some doubts about the horse's readiness after his last-start placing in the Winter Stakes (1400m), but his subsequent trackwork erased any concerns.

"Bjorn was a little bit concerned that maybe he'd come to the end of it, but his work on Tuesday was fantastic. He's just thriving, this horse," Hilton said.

"It was hard to even get a little bit of a cheer up there because he had them shot to pieces very early. Tommy (Berry) rode him really well, put him to sleep, and he was able to quicken up really well."

This latest success for Midnight Dynamite marks Baker's second consecutive win in the Winter Challenge, having claimed the prize 12 months prior with Robusto.

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